Many legal practices rely on a patchwork of different legal software solutions to run their business – one for practice management and another for document prep. However, when your systems don’t talk to one another and you have to re-enter client information, time can be lost and accuracy jeopardized.

H.R.1 provides an opportunity for estate planning attorneys to capitalize on the new rules for tax exemptions. This article highlights some of the most important changes and provide strategies for maximizing your clients’ legacies.

Client maintenance programs can be a boon to any business that’s providing professional or legal services to its clients. Not only are they a great way to generate a substantial and reliable base income for your elder law practice, they also enhance and improve the client/attorney relationship.

In general, a client maintenance program is an agreement through which a client prepays an annual fee in exchange for anytime access to certain services. For example, your firm’s client maintenance program could include free phone calls, emails, a pre-set amount of face-to-face meetings each year, or an annual meeting to review existing documents. It may also include a free meeting with a successor trustee in the event of your client’s illness or death.

Your clients will quickly realize the value in such a program. Offering this type of constant accessibility and support will build trust with your clients and enable you to better understand their needs. It will also allow you to identify opportunities to offer them additional services.

Allowing your clients to contact you or one of your colleagues when they have questions or needs, underscores the value of the services you provide.